Chapter 2: Shadows in the Mansion

It’s our first meeting, I’m in a white dress—who else could I possibly be but Rosie Carter?

Hearing him ask, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud:

"Yes, Harrison."

He looked annoyed, flicking his suit jacket like he wanted to shake me off.

"Tonight I’ll be in Elena’s room. If word gets out, you’ll have a rough time around here."

My smile froze. I said, "Don’t worry, Harrison."

He left without even sharing a toast with me. The champagne on the table fizzed and went flat—just like my mood.

My maid, Maddie, helped me take off my makeup, trying her best to cheer me up.

"Maddie, don’t bother. Didn’t we see this coming? Better get some rest and enjoy the quiet while it lasts."

Thank goodness, I slept soundly—no dreams at all. For the first time in weeks, my pillow wasn’t soaked with tears.

Elena came early the next morning to say hello. It was my first time seeing her in person.

She really was everything people said: beautiful, generous, clever, and quick-witted.

At first, she was all formal. But once she realized I was easygoing and not looking for a fight, she warmed up fast.

"Did you sleep well last night, Rosie? It’s getting chilly—don’t catch a cold."

So thoughtful, but she’s two years younger than me. Her calling me ‘big sister’ just felt… weird.

"Good, very good."

After a few polite words, we parted ways.

I soon realized Elena was always busy. The second Harrison got home from work, he’d go straight to her side of the house to talk business.

I really envied her—so smart, always able to help Harrison with his worries.

I couldn’t help, but I didn’t want to be a bother either, so I told her she didn’t have to come by every morning.

My little wing of the house was quiet, but I started to get restless.

After a lot of pleading, I finally convinced Maddie to dress up like a boy and sneak out of the mansion with me.

Luckily, I’d learned some self-defense as a kid, so hopping the fence was a breeze. Otherwise, I’d have lost my mind being cooped up in that place.

The Whitmore mansion is on the west side of town. I hadn’t really been there before, so everything was brand new.